wind, air, style, manner
風 centers on moving air: wind and the atmosphere. The style and manner senses extend naturally from the idea of a prevailing wind or current that shapes behavior.
wind; breeze; draught; draft
method; manner; way; style
bath; bathing; bathtub; bathroom
typhoon; hurricane
manners; customs
(common) cold; influenza; flu; ague; inflammatory respiratory system illness (in general)
scenery; scene; landscape; view; sight
taste; flavor; flavour
balloon (toy or decoration)
Japanese style
electric fan
tide; current
strong wind; high wind; moderate gale
custom
satire; irony; sarcasm
style (of a work, author, artist, etc.); characteristics
gale; strong wind; swift wind; fresh breeze (Beaufort scale)
wind power
wind speed
taste; elegance; charm
natural features; topography; climate; spiritual features
storm; windstorm; gale
open-air bath; rotenburo; rotemburo
divine wind (esp. a typhoon thought to have protected Japan from a Mongolian invasion in the 13th century)
風 is a pictograph of a sail or windsock, later combined with 虫 (insect) to represent the wind that carries insects or the idea of movement. The modern form retains the sail-like enclosure and the insect component.
The outer shape looks like a windsock or sail catching the air, and the inner 虫 suggests things carried by the wind. Together, 風 is wind and air, and by extension, the style or manner that flows like a current.
For フウ, imagine a strong wind blowing through a bamboo grove, making a 'foo' sound: foo -> フウ, and the wind shapes the style of the rustling leaves.